Michigan State Football: Top 10 plays of the regular season

Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Air Force Falcons during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

What tops the list of Michigan State football’s top 10 plays of the 2015 regular season?

The 2015 Michigan State football season should be considered a major success up to this point. Sure, the Spartans’ record has a blemish, but that loss on the road to Nebraska seems more and more like a fluke by each passing week. Not to mention that it was lost on a controversial play in which the Cornhuskers’ receiver stepped out of bounds, came back in and made the catch.

That’s neither here nor there.

Michigan State won four straight games after that, improving to 12-1 with a Big Ten East title, an overall conference crown and a spot in the second annual College Football Playoff, earning a bid to play Alabama on Dec. 31 for the Cotton Bowl.

With that game still about a week away, it’s time to look back at the most memorable plays of the 2015 regular season and select which ones were the best. Since the last installment of top plays, Michigan State has had a wealth of them, so there are new ones to make the list.

Disagree with the order on the list or think we forgot some? Let us know in the comment section below.

10. Arjen Colquhoun tip for win vs. Purdue

Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) celebrates a defensive play during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Who would have thought the Purdue game would come down to a final drive by the Boilermakers? Definitely not me as the Spartans were looking great through the first half, putting up a 21-0 lead before heading into the locker room.

On a cold, rainy day, as most Purdue games seem to be in East Lansing, the Boilermakers mounted a furious comeback, scoring the next 14 points before Michigan State added a field goal and then tacking on another score in the fourth.

Cook just needed to win to become the school’s all-time leader in wins at the quarterback position and even though he only passed for 139 yards, the Spartans got the job done.

It took a pass deflection in the final minutes on a Purdue fourth down to seal the win, though, as Arjen Colquhoun had his biggest play of the season.

Note: The bat-down comes in around the 0:31 mark.

Next: 9. LJ Scott run vs. Oregon

Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium. Spartans beat the Ducks 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

9. LJ Scott TD run vs. Oregon

In the biggest early-season game in college football, the Spartans were fighting hard to hold off the then-No. 7 Oregon Ducks. Spartan Stadium was alive with the idea of a victory over one of the nation’s top teams and that win didn’t come easy.

Many opportunities slipped through the fingers of MSU to really pull away and that led to the Ducks sticking around and playing possessed. Vernon Adams Jr. wasn’t at full strength for Oregon, but as we would soon find out, this was really the beginning of the Spartan injury trend — with the exception of Ed Davis.

Connor Cook didn’t have his most prolific passing day, but his poise and leadership kept the Spartans level-headed throughout the contest, even when it looked like the Ducks might come back to win it.

Up 24-21 with about 11 minutes left in the game and Michigan State driving, true freshman running back LJ Scott, playing in his second career game, took a handoff and hit a huge hole, dashing 38 yards to the end zone.

"ICYMI: LJ Scott ran 38 yards for his 2nd @MSU_Football TD of the game. Brought to you by #GrubHub. http://t.co/Pra0RAXGT0 — Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 13, 2015"

This would end up being the winning score and Michigan State came out on top with its first win over a top 10 team in 2015 by the score of 31-28.

Next: 8. R.J. Shelton catch vs. Rutgers

Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) gestures to the sidelines during the 2nd half of a game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

8. R.J. Shelton catch vs. Rutgers

R.J. Shelton really deserves a cool nickname. Next year he will likely be the Spartans’ No. 1 target, so he will have more opportunities to do so, but when Michigan State has needed a huge play, Shelton has given it to them.

That was never more evident than when the junior slot receiver caught the biggest pass of the season, to that point, against Rutgers. With the score tied at 24 on the road in a hostile environment, the Spartans were looking to avoid a mammoth upset in week six — a week before the vaunted Michigan game.

A loss would be absolutely devastating for the Spartans, so it would be up to Connor Cook to engineer the game-winning drive with just over 3:30 left in the fourth quarter. A huge 3rd-and-9 was looming and everyone thought that Aaron Burbridge would be the guy to make the big play for a first down to avoid the dreaded fourth-down play — or even a punt to give Rutgers a shot at a clean win.

Cook fired a seed down the left side of the field, hitting Shelton with a beautiful pass, but an even better catch. Shelton rose up over the defender and saved the Spartans’ season.

The Spartans would end up scoring on the drive, putting the game away for good.

Next: 7. Jack Allen TD

Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans center Jack Allen (66) prepares to snap the ball during the 1st quarter of a game against the Air Force Falcons at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

7. Jack Allen TD run

Everyone, and I mean everyone, loves a fat guy touchdown. The exception to that may have been last year in the Cotton Bowl when Baylor’s 300-pound offensive lineman/tight end hybrid caught a touchdown pass to seemingly rub it in the Spartans’ faces that they were down by three scores. Little did they know that a comeback was brewing.

However, this fat guy touchdown was so much better.

Senior center Jack Allen looked to follow in the footsteps of the graduating offensive linemen before him at Michigan State who got a carry on Senior Day. No. 66 took a Connor Cook handoff, ‘sprinted’ to the right, followed his blocks to perfection, threw a stiff-arm at a would-be Penn State tackler and crossed the goal-line for the final score of the game as Michigan State won, 55-16.

It was a feel-good moment for every fan in attendance and there was quite possibly no more moment that topped this one in terms of being flat-out fun to watch. Most of the plays on this list were either in agonizing moments that brought relief or were completely unexpected.

Jack Allen scored on his only career run for nine yards, giving him the best yards per carry average on the team and a load of confidence next time he decides to line up in the backfield at the next level.

Heck, if he loses a few pounds, he could be a fullback in the league.

Next: 6. Demetrious Cox interception

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) celebrates an end zone interception during the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

6. Demetrious Cox interception

Besides the offensive line, there was no position group who made a bigger improvement throughout the last stretch of the season to vault the Spartans to the Big Ten title game and eventually a College Football Playoff berth than the secondary.

Throughout the year, Montae Nicholson, Demetrious Cox and others were through to be major disappointments, giving up 300 yards through the air seemingly every week. Offenses like Air Force, Central Michigan and Western Michigan all had huge chunk pass plays against these guys and the hope that Michigan State’s defensive backfield would improve was dimming.

The Nebraska game seemed to be the major turnaround for the entire team. Michigan State’s offensive line began opening up huge holes for the run game — which eventually won them a couple of games — and the secondary wasn’t allowing big plays and looked like that of years past.

Arjen Colquhoun, Darian Hicks, Nicholson and Cox all seemed to be clicking on all cylinders as the perfect foursome to lead the secondary. Although Hicks allowed a huge pass play which nearly cost the Spartans a win in the Big Ten Championship, the secondary looked stellar.

One play in particular stood out as the Iowa Hawkeyes were driving and getting ready to score the first touchdown of the game to extend the lead to 13-3.

C.J. Beathard passed the ball into the end zone from the five-yard-line, the receiver had the ball jarred loose and it landed on Riley Bullough’s back. Cox scooped it up for the interception and it was incredible.

Even though it was early, it was a game-saving play in an otherwise defensive battle.

Next: 5. Burbridge catch vs. Air Force

Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) catches a touchdown pass against the Air Force Falcons during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

5. Aaron Burbridge catch vs. Air Force

Coming into his senior season, Aaron Burbridge was going to be “the guy” in East Lansing. Mark Dantonio had preached all offseason long about how the senior wide out would need to step up in order to give Michigan State that Tony Lippett-type receiver in 2015, and boy did Burbridge deliver.

After a couple of games, it was pretty clear that he would be that same type of receiver that Lippett was, and maybe even better. Playing an Air Force team that looked to be inferior on both the defensive and offensive lines, Michigan State still seemed to be unable to stop the run and even rack up some rushing yards of its own.

The Spartans finished with only 77 yards on 42 carries, making for a tough day for the backs. With that being said, it would be up to Connor Cook and the pass game to get the job done, and they did just that.

Cook hit Burbridge, his newfound favorite target, eight times for 156 yards and three touchdowns. No catch was more incredible than this leaping reception in the corner of the end zone:

Burbridge has risen to be one of the top receivers in the country and he has a very bright future ahead of him. However, he’s still underrated and no one is talking about him as an early-round NFL draft pick, but whoever lands him in the middle rounds will be getting an absolute steal.

Next: 4. Burbridge catch vs. Penn State

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) catches the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

4. Aaron Burbridge catch vs. Penn State

As a four-star wide coming out of high school and committing to Michigan State, big things were expected of Burbridge. No one knew that it would take four years to finally see what he had to offer, but better late than never, right?

Burbridge’s freshman season wasn’t terrible as he caught 29 passes for 362 yards and two touchdowns — which would hold up as his highest season marks in each category until this year.

Lippett, last year’s Big Ten receiver of the year, was phenomenal for the Spartans and sort of came out of nowhere to be a reliable target in which Connor Cook could just toss it up to and watch him do his thing. Now Burbridge is the same way, but more athletic and physically-gifted.

The previous play on this list was one of his best catches, but this had to be his top catch and run throughout his entire career — high school and college. This play will be remembered by Spartan fans forever — and yet it’s only No. 4 on the list.

What a move.

Through 13 games, Burbridge has won the 2015 Big Ten Receiver of the Year while racking up 80 catches for 1,219 yards and seven touchdowns. He has seven 100-yard receiving games on the season and has moved into second place all-time on the receptions list behind only B.J. Cunningham — pretty surprising for a guy who didn’t record many stats through his first three seasons.

Next: 3. Michael Geiger game-winner

Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans place kicker Michael Geiger (4) makes the game-winning field goal on the final play of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. The Spartans won 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

3. Michael Geiger game-winner vs. OSU

Watching Connor Cook go down with a shoulder injury against Maryland the week before the Ohio State game was every Spartan fans’ worst nightmare. What would happen if the senior quarterback couldn’t play in the biggest game of the season — let alone a road contest.

All signs were pointing to MSU’s leader to start for the entire week. He said he felt good, the coaching staff said he was good and he claimed that nothing would keep him from playing. Well, that wasn’t the case as the huddle broke before the Spartans’ first offensive drive and Tyler O’Connor trotted onto the field from the sidelines for Michigan State.

You could almost here a collective nationwide gasp when it was reported Cook would not be available at all against the No. 3-ranked Buckeyes.

It looked as if the Spartans’ 2015 playoff hopes would be dashed, yet again, by Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes who were going to roll all over the Spartans at home, or so everyone said.

Michigan State’s defense played its best game of the season, holding Heisman candidate and star running back Ezekiel Elliott to just 33 yards on 11 carries and J.T. Barrett couldn’t get the pass game going, either.

The score was tied heading into the final Spartan drive of the game when LJ Scott picked up first down after first down and Michigan State was in Michael Geiger’s field goal range. Lined up from 41 yards out and three seconds to play, the junior kicker drilled the biggest kick of his life as MSU won, 17-14, in Columbus.

The best part of this was his celebration. He didn’t even watch the ball go through the uprights, Geiger knew it was good.

Next: 2. LJ Scott's reach

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) dives in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

2. LJ Scott TD vs. Iowa

LJ Scott’s nickname might as well be “Superman” after this incredible impression the true freshman running back did of the superhero.

Scott has had plenty of solid games this season, but none have been better than his performance against the Iowa Hawkeyes after the 22-play, nine-minute drive that eventually won the Spartans the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Down 13-9 and fighting for any shot to get into the end zone, the Spartans looked to be on their way to a loss in the conference title game. The Iowa defense had been stingy all game long and Michigan State had just allowed a huge 85-yard pass for the first touchdown of the game for either side to put the Hawkeyes up four.

Everything was on the line, the No. 5 Spartans were playing the No. 4 Hawkeyes for a spot in the College Football Playoff, and for a while there late, it seemed like Iowa wanted it more. That was until “The Drive” which sealed it for Michigan State.

Scott ran the ball so well and Michigan State took all but 27 seconds off the clock in the fourth quarter and that drive was capped off by a heroic run by the true freshman.

“No, he didn’t get in. Or did he? YES. What strength by the true freshman.”

Those words won’t be forgotten by any MSU fan any time soon as the touchdown secured a spot in the playoff. Scott fought off three defenders, spun around and reached the ball into the end zone for the game-winning score.

What a game.

Next: 1. And the ball is free

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) is mobbed by teammates after scoring a touchdown as the clock expires in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

1. “And he scores”

This is the easy pick for No. 1. I know, it’s not surprising, but can you argue for any other moment topping this one in 2015? Heck, this might be the greatest, most exciting play in college football history. Move over Stanford vs. Cal “the band is out on the field” moment, this one definitely takes the cake because it was so unpredictable.

After a hard-fought matchup against a much-improved Michigan team led by Jim Harbaugh, Michigan State looked to be headed back to East Lansing with its first ‘L’ of the year.

Michigan State’s sideline was in disbelief. Connor Cook looked dejected and Mark Dantonio seemed to be at a loss for words for his players. However, that wasn’t the case as he reiterated in the huddle before the Wolverines’ final punt play with a few ticks remaining. He reminded his players that there were still 10 seconds left.

And history was made.

The Spartans were rushing all 11 guys, but for some reason, Michigan had two gunners, leaving two Spartans unblocked and rushing toward Wolverines punter Blake O’Neill.

A clean snap and kick would end the game, but the ball hit the turf and so did Michigan’s hopes of beating their in-state rival for the first time since 2012.

Related Story: https://spartanavenue.com/2015/12/14/michigan-state-football-all-time-spartan-team/

O’Neill bent down to pick it up, tried to still get the punt off and was hit from behind, knocking the ball into (eventual legend) Jalen Watts-Jackson’s arms. He took off running toward the end zone with no time left, and he never looked back.

Michigan State scored on the most ridiculous play in football history, beating Michigan, 27-23.